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Saturday, May 28, 2011

Can't wait for your local farmer's market or fair to have kettle corn? No need to sit in agony. You can make your own at home! Gigantic kettle and wooden stick are not required!

I am tickled pink with the results of this sort-of healthy snack. You know those people who burn microwave popcorn? That's me. I really didn't think that my first try at this would go off without a hitch-- but it did. And remember my husband who doesn't like salty-sweet combination foods (yes he is bonkers)-- he liked it. Yep, I know-- I'm a miracle worker. I may even go buy myself a gigantic kettle to celebrate.

Homemade Kettle Corn

Serves 4-6

1 cup yellow popcorn kernels

3 Tbsp vegetable oil

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1-2 tsp salt (to taste)

Place a large dutch oven (make sure you have a lid) over medium high heat on your stove top. Add oil and allow to heat for ~1 minute. Place 2-3 kernels into pot and wait until they pop (yes, they will probably pop out of the pot). Add remaining kernels and place lid on pot. Wait until you hear a few other kernels pop, then with oven mitts pick up pot and shake. Continue to shake for ~30 seconds every minute of cooking (place back on burner for remainder of time). After first minute, carefully lift one side of lid and sprinkle in sugar. Replace lid and continue cooking and shaking (yes it is a good shoulder and bicep workout) for ~4-5 minutes, until span of time between pops lengthens to ~5 seconds.

Remove from heat. Wait until all popping has finished, then remove lid. Sprinkle lightly with salt (to taste), then mix and place into a large serving bowl or individual serving bowls. Now close your eyes and picture the Ferris wheel. Unless it makes you sick. Then just picture something else.